American Music Awards 2012: Red carpet

The stars — from Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood to Chris Brown and Pink to Justin Bieber and his mom — walked the red carpet at the American Music Awards. Short minis flashing lots of leg and gold and yellow dresses are some of the looks that dominated

By SFGate.com

on November 18, 2012 7:06 PM

Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

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The stars — from Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood to Chris Brown and Pink to a newly single Justin Bieber and his mom — walked the red carpet at the American Music Awards. Short minis flashing lots of leg and gold and yellow dresses are some of the looks that dominated. Take at peek. Here, singer Carrie Underwood attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

The stars — from Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood to Chris Brown and Pink to a newly single Justin Bieber and his mom — walked the red carpet at the American Music Awards. Short minis flashing lots of leg ... more

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

The stars — from Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood to Chris... Photo-3758279.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Singer Carrie Underwood attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Carrie Underwood attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Taylor Swift attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Taylor Swift attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Singer Taylor Swift attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758283.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Singer Taylor Swift attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Taylor Swift attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Singer Taylor Swift attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758284.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Singer Justin Bieber attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Justin Bieber attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Singer Justin Bieber attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758355.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Singer Justin Bieber (R) and mother Pattie Malette attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Justin Bieber (R) and mother Pattie Malette attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Musical group No Doubt, from left, Adrian Young, Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and Tom Dumont arrive at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) less

Musical group No Doubt, from left, Adrian Young, Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and Tom Dumont arrive at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan ... more

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Actress Hayden Panettiere attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Actress Hayden Panettiere attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty ... more

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Actress Hayden Panettiere attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Actress Hayden Panettiere attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty ... more

Singer Psy attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Psy attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Singer Psy attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia... Photo-3758290.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Singer will.i.am attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer will.i.am attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Singer will.i.am attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758291.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen poses in the press room at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

Recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen poses in the press room at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty ... more

Recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen poses in the press room at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

Recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen poses in the press room at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty ... more

Singer Jordin Sparks attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Jordin Sparks attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Singer Jordin Sparks attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758299.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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(L-R) Musicians Tyler Glenn, Elaine Bradley, Chris Allen, and Branden Campbell of Neon Trees attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

(L-R) Musicians Tyler Glenn, Elaine Bradley, Chris Allen, and Branden Campbell of Neon Trees attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, ... more

(L-R) Singers A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, and Kevin Richardson of Backstreet Boys attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

(L-R) Singers A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, and Kevin Richardson of Backstreet Boys attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los ... more

Singer A.J. McLean of Backstreet Boys poses in the press room at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

Singer A.J. McLean of Backstreet Boys poses in the press room at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty ... more

Singers Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

Singers Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty ... more

Singer Kelly Rowland attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Kelly Rowland attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Singer Kelly Rowland attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758315.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Actress Carly Steele attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Actress Carly Steele attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Actress Carly Steele attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758316.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Phoebe Price attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Phoebe Price attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Phoebe Price attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia... Photo-3758317.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Actress Lucy Hale attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Actress Lucy Hale attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Actress Lucy Hale attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758318.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Rapper Swizz Beatz attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Rapper Swizz Beatz attends the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Rapper Swizz Beatz attends the 40th American Music Awards held at... Photo-3758362.52664 - San Antonio Express-News

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Singer Gloria Estefan and musician Emilio Estefan attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Singer Gloria Estefan and musician Emilio Estefan attend the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)